LtCol Gary J McKay, MC, OAM (Retd)

From the past:

"Got badly shot up and spent a year in hospital and decided to stay in the Army…. I won a gong for bravery blah blah ..."

2004

Flunked the Leaving because I was obsessed with girls (namely Greg Baxter’s sister), footy and surfboat rowing. Hated study and couldn’t handle maths.Did the Leaving at night school at Chatswood Tech whilst working for the AMP Society, where I ended up being a trainee computer programmer (they had machines to add up so I was safe). Drafted for National Service in 1968 and went to Scheyville (thank God I had matriculated or I would have been cannon fodder) and graduated as a second lieutenant in the infantry corps. Became a star rugby player in the Army and my posting to Viet Nam was delayed until I ended up signing on for a 5-year short service commission so I could see what all the fuss was about.Took a rifle platoon to South Viet Nam in 1971 with 4 RAR (now a Commando unit in Sydney) and had a great tour of duty until 21 September 1971 when all of North Vietnam’s Army descended on 11 Platoon. Got badly shot up and spent a year in hospital and decided to stay in the Army as good jobs started coming my way. I won a gong for bravery blah blah and this opened a few doors and allowed me to go for good jobs. Long story cut short studied in Canada (the advanced colouring in course), served in Europe, PNG, NZ (2 years brrr), the USA and stopped the Communist Terrorists in Malaysia (as a matter of fact since I was drafted Australia was never invaded, so I must have done some good).

I commanded a battalion in 1989-90 and have seen most of Australia from either the ground, a chopper or the back of a Herc. I retired as a colonel.

Started writing books (non-fiction) about the war in 1987 and 12 books later I am still writing.

I married Gay in 1970 and we had two (adopted) kids. One lives in Brisbane, the other moved to Ballarat in mid- 2016.  I resigned for personal reasons with my first wife in 1998 after 30 years. That marriage ended in divorce shortly after. I began a second career as a full time scribbler and freelance historian. I have written and had published couple of dozen non-fiction books, mostly with Allen & Unwin.

My website for the books I have done is www.garymckay.com.au.

I re-married in 2012 to Margot and between us we have four kids and six grandkids in the tribe. We live in beautiful Kiama about 100 kms south of Sydney overlooking the Minnamurra River..

When not writing I am surfing or fishing at Coolum, making serious jams, and talking battlefield tours to Viet Nam or Gallipoli. 

[See bio on his website]

Dec 2021

I will no longer be doing battlefield tours – too dangerous!

20 May 2023.  I was invested with the OAM last week for services to military history and veterans. So, my handle is now LtCol G J McKay, MC, OAM (Retd)